ASD daughter struggling at school

[Littlemissorchid]

Hi!
Just looking for a bit of advice or just someone to talk to who’s been in a similar situation. My daughter (7) is Autistic with possible PDA and is having a really hard time in school. She has moved school back in September as her previous school were saying they could not meet her needs and now this school is saying the same. She was in a mainstream school then we moved her to another mainstream school but it has a separate unit for SEN children - with only 8 in the class as opposed to the 30 in her previous school and with trained staff we thought this would be perfect for her. However, in the last few months we have had constant calls and emails from the school asking us to come and get her because of her behaviour- she’s been hitting others, screaming and escaping the classroom and running all around the school - basically causing chaos. I completely understand the schools frustration in all of this and we are sadly looking to move her again but this time into a specialist school hopefully! I just wondered if anyone has been through the same thing - any advice? She’s miserable at school she never acts this way at home but it’s got so bad she got suspended last week for her behaviour.

When the school is calling you, are they formally suspending DD each and every time? If not, they are informally, unlawfully excluding DD. You don’t have to allow that to continue. Insisting they suspend formally will a) provide evidence of unmet needs that will help you pursue additional support and SS, b) force the school to follow due process, c) limit the number of days the school can suspend for, d) allow you to challenge any suspension, and e) ensure DD receives alternative education for longer suspensions.

I presume DD has an EHCP (or nearest equivalent if you aren’t in England)? Have you requested an early review? What support is currently in the EHCP and is it being provided? What is the school doing and have they spotted the triggers?